Douglas Griffin
@dgriffinchess.bsky.social
Former chessplayer (1979-1995).
From Scotland.
Writer on Soviet chess history; translator of Russian-language chess literature. Previously published by Chess Informant & Quality Chess.
Website: https://dgriffinchess.wordpress.com/
From Scotland.
Writer on Soviet chess history; translator of Russian-language chess literature. Previously published by Chess Informant & Quality Chess.
Website: https://dgriffinchess.wordpress.com/
"Some people have regarded the north as being impoverished compared to the iron age of the south of Britain. This shows that individuals there had the same quality of materials and wealth and status and networks as people in the south."
I'm sorry, but this find is not in the north of Britain.
I'm sorry, but this find is not in the north of Britain.
March 25, 2025 at 8:53 AM
"Some people have regarded the north as being impoverished compared to the iron age of the south of Britain. This shows that individuals there had the same quality of materials and wealth and status and networks as people in the south."
I'm sorry, but this find is not in the north of Britain.
I'm sorry, but this find is not in the north of Britain.
Three World Champions.
Tigran Petrosian and Boris Spassky, pictured at the 41st USSR Championship final in Moscow, October 1973. With his back to the camera - Mikhail Tal.
(📷: V. Savostianov, TASS.) #chess
Tigran Petrosian and Boris Spassky, pictured at the 41st USSR Championship final in Moscow, October 1973. With his back to the camera - Mikhail Tal.
(📷: V. Savostianov, TASS.) #chess
March 22, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Three World Champions.
Tigran Petrosian and Boris Spassky, pictured at the 41st USSR Championship final in Moscow, October 1973. With his back to the camera - Mikhail Tal.
(📷: V. Savostianov, TASS.) #chess
Tigran Petrosian and Boris Spassky, pictured at the 41st USSR Championship final in Moscow, October 1973. With his back to the camera - Mikhail Tal.
(📷: V. Savostianov, TASS.) #chess
Beinn Tulaichean (left; 946m), seen from near the summit of Cruach Àrdrain (1046m).
Southern Highlands of Scotland.
We climbed both mountains today. Some much-needed time away from the computer screen.
Southern Highlands of Scotland.
We climbed both mountains today. Some much-needed time away from the computer screen.
March 14, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Beinn Tulaichean (left; 946m), seen from near the summit of Cruach Àrdrain (1046m).
Southern Highlands of Scotland.
We climbed both mountains today. Some much-needed time away from the computer screen.
Southern Highlands of Scotland.
We climbed both mountains today. Some much-needed time away from the computer screen.
'The Master Game'.
Robert Byrne (USA) v. Viktor Korchnoi (Switzerland)
Top-class grandmasters on the BBC, and a classic game by Korchnoi.
This episode was broadcast on BBC2 on Wednesday, 27th February 1980. #chess
Robert Byrne (USA) v. Viktor Korchnoi (Switzerland)
Top-class grandmasters on the BBC, and a classic game by Korchnoi.
This episode was broadcast on BBC2 on Wednesday, 27th February 1980. #chess
March 10, 2025 at 7:20 PM
'The Master Game'.
Robert Byrne (USA) v. Viktor Korchnoi (Switzerland)
Top-class grandmasters on the BBC, and a classic game by Korchnoi.
This episode was broadcast on BBC2 on Wednesday, 27th February 1980. #chess
Robert Byrne (USA) v. Viktor Korchnoi (Switzerland)
Top-class grandmasters on the BBC, and a classic game by Korchnoi.
This episode was broadcast on BBC2 on Wednesday, 27th February 1980. #chess
Pictured, according to the archive, in 1986 - grandmaster & Women's World Champion* Maia Chiburdanidze (b. Kutaisi, USSR, 1961).
*She held the title from 1978-1991.
(📷: B. Kaufman, Novosti Press.) #chess
*She held the title from 1978-1991.
(📷: B. Kaufman, Novosti Press.) #chess
March 2, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Pictured, according to the archive, in 1986 - grandmaster & Women's World Champion* Maia Chiburdanidze (b. Kutaisi, USSR, 1961).
*She held the title from 1978-1991.
(📷: B. Kaufman, Novosti Press.) #chess
*She held the title from 1978-1991.
(📷: B. Kaufman, Novosti Press.) #chess
A photo of Tal, after his make-over for the film!
March 2, 2025 at 12:42 PM
A photo of Tal, after his make-over for the film!
Iraida Spasskaya - sister of Boris - also passed away this year, on 23rd January.
A 4-time Soviet champion at Russian draughts (shashki), she was born in wartime evacuation in Sverdlovsk (modern Yekaterinburg) on 6th November 1944.
Pictured here (right) in 1965.
(📷: M. Berger, Novosti Press.)
A 4-time Soviet champion at Russian draughts (shashki), she was born in wartime evacuation in Sverdlovsk (modern Yekaterinburg) on 6th November 1944.
Pictured here (right) in 1965.
(📷: M. Berger, Novosti Press.)
February 28, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Iraida Spasskaya - sister of Boris - also passed away this year, on 23rd January.
A 4-time Soviet champion at Russian draughts (shashki), she was born in wartime evacuation in Sverdlovsk (modern Yekaterinburg) on 6th November 1944.
Pictured here (right) in 1965.
(📷: M. Berger, Novosti Press.)
A 4-time Soviet champion at Russian draughts (shashki), she was born in wartime evacuation in Sverdlovsk (modern Yekaterinburg) on 6th November 1944.
Pictured here (right) in 1965.
(📷: M. Berger, Novosti Press.)
Very sad news. Boris Spassky 1937-2025.
RIP.
RIP.
February 27, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Very sad news. Boris Spassky 1937-2025.
RIP.
RIP.
Hans Ree ('My Chess', 2013) again - on the level of chess content that at one time used to be printed by the national press (at least, in the Netherlands).
February 20, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Hans Ree ('My Chess', 2013) again - on the level of chess content that at one time used to be printed by the national press (at least, in the Netherlands).
I learned today that the main character was named after Sir Jeremy Morse (1928-2016), banker, chess problemist, crossword devotee & friend of Colin Dexter.
Morse was chairman of Lloyds' Bank, who were an extremely important sponsor of chess here in the '80s & 90s.
(See Alt tab for details.)
Morse was chairman of Lloyds' Bank, who were an extremely important sponsor of chess here in the '80s & 90s.
(See Alt tab for details.)
February 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I learned today that the main character was named after Sir Jeremy Morse (1928-2016), banker, chess problemist, crossword devotee & friend of Colin Dexter.
Morse was chairman of Lloyds' Bank, who were an extremely important sponsor of chess here in the '80s & 90s.
(See Alt tab for details.)
Morse was chairman of Lloyds' Bank, who were an extremely important sponsor of chess here in the '80s & 90s.
(See Alt tab for details.)
Half a century ago today: the 1st round of the biennial international tournament in Tallinn.
Among the pairings: Keres v. Marović. Spassky can be seen passing in the background.
(📷: D. Prants, O. Vihandi, via muis.ee, meediateek.ee.) #chess
Among the pairings: Keres v. Marović. Spassky can be seen passing in the background.
(📷: D. Prants, O. Vihandi, via muis.ee, meediateek.ee.) #chess
February 16, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Half a century ago today: the 1st round of the biennial international tournament in Tallinn.
Among the pairings: Keres v. Marović. Spassky can be seen passing in the background.
(📷: D. Prants, O. Vihandi, via muis.ee, meediateek.ee.) #chess
Among the pairings: Keres v. Marović. Spassky can be seen passing in the background.
(📷: D. Prants, O. Vihandi, via muis.ee, meediateek.ee.) #chess
65 years old today - German (formerly Soviet) GM Artur Jussupow. World Junior (U-20) Champion in 1977, he was three times a Candidates' semi-finalist.
Seen here in play during his Candidates' Quarter-final match v. Jan Timman in Tilburg, January 1986.
(📷: J. Klok / ANP.) #chess
Seen here in play during his Candidates' Quarter-final match v. Jan Timman in Tilburg, January 1986.
(📷: J. Klok / ANP.) #chess
February 13, 2025 at 9:23 AM
65 years old today - German (formerly Soviet) GM Artur Jussupow. World Junior (U-20) Champion in 1977, he was three times a Candidates' semi-finalist.
Seen here in play during his Candidates' Quarter-final match v. Jan Timman in Tilburg, January 1986.
(📷: J. Klok / ANP.) #chess
Seen here in play during his Candidates' Quarter-final match v. Jan Timman in Tilburg, January 1986.
(📷: J. Klok / ANP.) #chess
Born 75 years ago today in Cheliabinsk, USSR - Evgeny Sveshnikov (1950-2021), without doubt one of the most significant opening theoreticians of the 20th century.
Pictured here at Wijk aan Zee, January 1981.
(📷R. Bogaerts / ANEFO, via nationaalarchief.nl.) #chess
Pictured here at Wijk aan Zee, January 1981.
(📷R. Bogaerts / ANEFO, via nationaalarchief.nl.) #chess
February 11, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Born 75 years ago today in Cheliabinsk, USSR - Evgeny Sveshnikov (1950-2021), without doubt one of the most significant opening theoreticians of the 20th century.
Pictured here at Wijk aan Zee, January 1981.
(📷R. Bogaerts / ANEFO, via nationaalarchief.nl.) #chess
Pictured here at Wijk aan Zee, January 1981.
(📷R. Bogaerts / ANEFO, via nationaalarchief.nl.) #chess
Here he is in 1947, facing László Szabó in the FIDE Zonal tournament in Hilversum.
(📷: B. Wisman / ANEFO, via www.nationaalarchief.nl.)
(📷: B. Wisman / ANEFO, via www.nationaalarchief.nl.)
February 5, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Here he is in 1947, facing László Szabó in the FIDE Zonal tournament in Hilversum.
(📷: B. Wisman / ANEFO, via www.nationaalarchief.nl.)
(📷: B. Wisman / ANEFO, via www.nationaalarchief.nl.)
Bobby Fischer, pictured in play v. Yair Kraidman in the 2nd round of the international tournament in Netanya, Israel, 18th June 1968. The Israeli player pushed Fischer all the way but the game ended in a draw in 80 moves.
(📷via jfc.org.il.) #chess
(📷via jfc.org.il.) #chess
February 4, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Bobby Fischer, pictured in play v. Yair Kraidman in the 2nd round of the international tournament in Netanya, Israel, 18th June 1968. The Israeli player pushed Fischer all the way but the game ended in a draw in 80 moves.
(📷via jfc.org.il.) #chess
(📷via jfc.org.il.) #chess
Another glorious morning in Wijk aan Zee!
February 1, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Another glorious morning in Wijk aan Zee!
A packed Café De Zon, with Ivan Sokolov on stage.
January 31, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A packed Café De Zon, with Ivan Sokolov on stage.
Finally made it to Wijk aan Zee. Plane from Aberdeen to Amsterdam early yesterday, visited Rijksmuseum & Max Euwe Centre, then train to Beverwijk, then walked the few remaining kms to the coast.
I really like the place! Already made some friends here. And the weather could hardly be better.
I really like the place! Already made some friends here. And the weather could hardly be better.
January 31, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Finally made it to Wijk aan Zee. Plane from Aberdeen to Amsterdam early yesterday, visited Rijksmuseum & Max Euwe Centre, then train to Beverwijk, then walked the few remaining kms to the coast.
I really like the place! Already made some friends here. And the weather could hardly be better.
I really like the place! Already made some friends here. And the weather could hardly be better.
Landau is seen here in play v. Paul Keres in the 16th round of the great tournament at Kemeri (Latvia), 7th July 1937.
(Photo via e-varamu.ee.) #chess
(Photo via e-varamu.ee.) #chess
January 27, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Landau is seen here in play v. Paul Keres in the 16th round of the great tournament at Kemeri (Latvia), 7th July 1937.
(Photo via e-varamu.ee.) #chess
(Photo via e-varamu.ee.) #chess
Half a century ago today - the drawing of lots for the 1975 edition of the Hoogoven tournament, at Wijk aan Zee.
L to R: Svetozar Gligorić, Lajos Portisch, Robert Hübner, Jan Smejkal, Walter Browne, Hans Ree.
(📷:https://noord-hollandsarchief.nl) #chess
L to R: Svetozar Gligorić, Lajos Portisch, Robert Hübner, Jan Smejkal, Walter Browne, Hans Ree.
(📷:https://noord-hollandsarchief.nl) #chess
January 13, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Half a century ago today - the drawing of lots for the 1975 edition of the Hoogoven tournament, at Wijk aan Zee.
L to R: Svetozar Gligorić, Lajos Portisch, Robert Hübner, Jan Smejkal, Walter Browne, Hans Ree.
(📷:https://noord-hollandsarchief.nl) #chess
L to R: Svetozar Gligorić, Lajos Portisch, Robert Hübner, Jan Smejkal, Walter Browne, Hans Ree.
(📷:https://noord-hollandsarchief.nl) #chess
When John van der Wiel gained his final GM norm at Wijk aan Zee, 1982, he kept his bet by going for a dip in the North Sea. Among those joining him was Yvette Nagel (later Mrs Yasser Seirawan).
(📷:http://noord-hollandsarchief.nl.) #chess
(📷:http://noord-hollandsarchief.nl.) #chess
January 13, 2025 at 9:10 AM
When John van der Wiel gained his final GM norm at Wijk aan Zee, 1982, he kept his bet by going for a dip in the North Sea. Among those joining him was Yvette Nagel (later Mrs Yasser Seirawan).
(📷:http://noord-hollandsarchief.nl.) #chess
(📷:http://noord-hollandsarchief.nl.) #chess
Born 81 years ago today in Kladno (in what became Czechoslovakia) - Vlastimil Hort. In 1977 he reached the Candidates, and got as high as World #6. He is a 3-time German champion.
Pictured here at Wijk aan Zee, 1982.
(📷: H. van Dijk / ANEFO, via nationaalarchief.nl.) #chess
Pictured here at Wijk aan Zee, 1982.
(📷: H. van Dijk / ANEFO, via nationaalarchief.nl.) #chess
January 12, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Born 81 years ago today in Kladno (in what became Czechoslovakia) - Vlastimil Hort. In 1977 he reached the Candidates, and got as high as World #6. He is a 3-time German champion.
Pictured here at Wijk aan Zee, 1982.
(📷: H. van Dijk / ANEFO, via nationaalarchief.nl.) #chess
Pictured here at Wijk aan Zee, 1982.
(📷: H. van Dijk / ANEFO, via nationaalarchief.nl.) #chess